Weekly Event Guidelines and Local Rules

Members may compete in 20 weekly events during the lottery season for prizes (Pro Shop Credit). prizes are redeemed for Pro Shop merchandise or golf fees. See the Event Summary for details of how a member can earn prizes.

Members may enter a weekly event either on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday of the designated week (also includes Mondays of extended Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends). However, only one attempt per weekly event is permitted. Players must designate their round by signing up with the starter in advance. If multiple cards are submitted, the first round will be used. A member may play in multiple events simultaneously using the same round, provided a separate, properly filled-out scorecard is submitted for each event and the rules for each event are observed fully during the round (e.g. must putt everything out if either event is a stroke play event).

Participation requirements:

Have an established handicap at the club. Look up your current handicap before starting play.

Sign up with the Starter prior to teeing off and announce the intention to participate to playing companions.

Properly fill out and sign your event scorecard(s), and have them attested for accuracy and signed by another person in your foursome (may be a non-member).

Put the card in the card box in the Clubhouse.

Post your score on the handicap computer.

Scorecards:
You must submit a scorecard with your full name, the name of the event, date played, your class (if applicable), your coursehandicap (if applicable), and your final score for the event filled out and totaled. The card must be attested and signed. Incomplete cards will be disqualified from the competition. Cards with incorrect handicaps will be disqualified. Consult the sample cards posted on the starter shack window or the Men’s Club bulletin board each week. You may not use one card to enter two or more events.

Use "T" for Tournament when you submit any scores for the Club Championship.

Handicap Posting
Members are required to promptly post all scores made in Men's Club tournaments and weekly competitions to ensure an accurate handicap. Two computers, located in the Winnetka Golf Club, allow members to post their scores. The CDGA also accepts posting of scores on the internet via their website. The Competition Committee periodically checks to ensure that members are reporting their scores according to the policy and has the authority to sanction violators.

USGA Rules of Golf govern all events:
Men’s Club members are expected to “protect the field” and refrain from any rule deviations, and especially those sometimes practiced during informal rounds.

no “mulligans”.

hole out all putts (no “gimmies”) except as provided under the USGA rules for match play competition.

no “improved lies” unless permitted by a local rule.

Tees:
The Championship Class plays from the black tees; A, B, and C play from the blue tees, and Class D plays from the white tees. If the sum of a member's handicap index plus their age equals or exceed 80 they may play from the White tees in all competitions. Super Senior Match play is played from the White Tees.

Ties:
Weekly prize money for the tied positions will be combined and divided equally among the tied players.

Local Rules for Competitions:

Wet grounds: Players have the option to invoke the embedded ball Local Rule b) described below if applicable, or USGA Rule 25-1 for abnormal ground conditions (including casual water). 25-1 provides the player may lift the ball and drop it from casual water without penalty within one club-length from the nearest point of relief, but not nearer the hole.

Embedded Ball Rule: USGA Rule 25-2 is in effect “through the green” at all times; i.e. everywhere except hazards, the putting green and teeing ground of the hole being played. The ball may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.

Out of Bounds: Out of bounds is defined by the inside edge at ground level of white stakes, white lines and/or perimeter fence posts (Hole #1,2, 3, and 13) and paved roads (Hole #1).

Water Hazards and Lateral Water Hazards: Stakes identify the type of hazard. Painted lines define the margin of the hazard. In the absence of painted lines, the imaginary line between two adjacent stakes shall define the margin.

Obstructions: An “obstruction” is anything artificial, including the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths and manufactured ice, except: i). Objects defining out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings. ii). Any part of an immovable artificial object which is out of bounds; and iii). any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course. An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise it is an immovable obstruction.

Paved Cart Paths: Relief is granted for concrete, asphalt, gravel & crushed stone paths only. Curbs bordering the cart paths are considered part of the path. Curbs bordering dirt paths are immovable obstructions – relief of one club length no nearer to the hole is granted.

Ground Under Repair: Indicated by enclosed white circled areas. Also a hole or tire rut made by a vehicle (except in a hazard) and all French drains (whether stone is exposed or not) are considered ground under repair.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas: Free drop at nearest point of relief no nearer the hole from all flower beds and staked trees or trees with tubing around the trunk. Trees with mulch around them are not considered environmentally sensitive areas.

Distance Measuring Device: Distance measuring devices are permitted in all Men’s Club competitions according to USGA decision 14-3/0.5 unless otherwise prohibited in a specific event.

Cell Phone Etiquette: The Winnetka Men’s Golf Club strongly discourages the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices on the course and in proximity to the 1st tee and 18th green during all club competitions. This is a matter of simple courtesy to fellow members. If a device must be carried for unavoidable and urgent reasons, the device’s audible ringer or alarm should be turned off. Use of these devices for any reason during play is grounds for default in the Club Championship.

Tournament Competition Guidelines
The USGA Rules of Golf and the Winnetka Men’s Club Local Rules govern all match play events. Players should also check the “conditions of competition” sheet for their specific event. Players may play match play events at any mutually agreed time.

If you are unsure of a rule in a stroke play event, it is permissible to play a second ball according to USGA rule 3-3, hole out both balls, and get a ruling at the end of the round from either the professional staff or a member of the Competition Committee prior to signing and turning in your scorecard.

In case of a dispute in match play, a player should immediately announce he is making a claim according to USGA rule 2-5, complete the match, and get a ruling from either the professional staff or a member of the Competition Committee prior to signing and turning in his scorecard.